Sierra Leone's Health Agency Secures Mpox-Free Status After Sustained Effort

(SLENA)-In a powerful testament to its strengthened public health systems, Sierra Leone has celebrated a dual achievement; the second anniversary of its National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and the official declaration of the nation as free from Mpox. The events together highlight a period of remarkable progress in the country's capacity to protect its citizens from health threats.

Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby, delivering the keynote address, framed the NPHA’s second year as foundational. He credited the agency with revolutionizing Sierra Leone’s health security architecture since its inception. “This milestone underscores the NPHA’s critical role in safeguarding our nation,” Dr. Demby stated, emphasizing its work in coordinating outbreak responses and enhancing disease surveillance through deep collaboration with ministry staff, international partners, and frontline health workers.

The most celebrated achievement of the day was the formal announcement that Sierra Leone has defeated an Mpox outbreak. This declaration is no small feat, adhering strictly to World Health Organization standards which require a country to surpass 42 days without a new case. As of mid-December 2025, every one of the nation’s sixteen districts had crossed this threshold, with many reporting over 150 consecutive days without infection.

The numbers from the outbreak reveal a story of effective management. Sierra Leone recorded 5,442 confirmed cases but achieved a recovery rate of 99%, with a low case fatality rate of just 1.1%. This success was driven by a comprehensive, multi-pronged response. Health authorities vaccinated more than 186,000 high-risk individuals, including healthcare workers, and meticulously traced over 22,500 contacts. To support these efforts, diagnostic capacity was significantly bolstered, expanding laboratory testing to nine sites nationwide.

Looking ahead, Dr. Demby called for sustained momentum. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued investment in public health infrastructure and emphasized the necessity of ongoing community engagement. The NPHA’s “whole-of-society” approach, which extends services to every doorstep, is seen as the model for this future vigilance.

Ultimately, this dual celebration sends a strong message about Sierra Leone’s public health readiness. By uniting the anniversary of a leading institution with a concrete victory over disease, the nation reinforces a growing confidence in its ability to prevent, detect, and respond to whatever challenges may come next.

Correspondent-John T. Allieu

Ministry of Health

Email: Jallieu004@gmail.com

Tel: +232 88 110173